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TerraCharts.com

Environmental Data Visualization

Over a century of environmental data at a glance. Track our planet's vital statistics from 1900 to today. All data sourced from NASA, NOAA, IPCC, FAO and leading scientific institutions.

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Global Temperature i

Why it matters: Global temperature rise is undeniable. Even small increases lead to more extreme weather, melting ice caps, and ecosystem disruption. The 1.1°C rise since 1900 may seem small, but it's already causing significant impacts worldwide.

Anomaly compared to 1880-1900 (degrees C)

Source: NASA GISS

CO2 Emissions i

Why it matters: The exponential rise of CO₂ emissions from burning fossil fuels, from 2 to 37 billion tons annually shows how human industrial activity directly impacts our atmosphere and climate.

Global emissions (billion tons)

Source: Global Carbon Project

Atmospheric CO2 i

Why it matters: Atmospheric CO₂ concentration has risen from 317 to 422 ppm. This greenhouse gas traps heat in our atmosphere. Pre-industrial levels were around 280 ppm—we're now at the highest levels in 3+ million years.

Concentration in parts per million (ppm)

Source: NOAA

Sea Level i

Why it matters: Rising sea levels threaten coastal cities worldwide. The 13.5cm rise since 1900 is accelerating, driven by melting ice and thermal expansion. Millions of people in coastal areas face increasing flood risks.

Rise since 1900 (cm)

Source: NOAA / CSIRO

Arctic Ice i

Why it matters: Arctic ice acts as Earth's refrigerator, reflecting sunlight back to space. Its rapid decline (nearly 50% loss) creates a feedback loop—less ice means more heat absorption, affecting global weather patterns.

Minimum annual extent (million km2)

Source: NSIDC

World Population i

Why it matters: Population growth from 1.65 to 8.1 billion means more resource consumption, energy demand, and environmental pressure. Understanding population trends is crucial for sustainable development and climate solutions.

Population evolution (billions)

Source: UN World Population

Forest Area i

Why it matters: Forests absorb CO₂, produce oxygen, and house 80% of terrestrial biodiversity. We've lost 1.1 billion hectares (22%) since 1900. Protecting and restoring forests is one of our most powerful climate solutions.

Global forest area (billion hectares)

Source: FAO

Extreme Climate Events i

Why it matters: Hurricanes, floods, droughts, and wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe. The 22x increase in extreme events causes massive economic damage, displacement, and loss of life—and it's accelerating.

Number of annual events

Source: EM-DAT / CRED

Ocean Acidification i

Why it matters: Oceans absorb 30% of CO₂, making them more acidic. The pH drop from 8.18 to 7.99 may seem small, but it threatens coral reefs, shellfish, and the entire marine food chain that billions depend on.

Average ocean pH level

Source: NOAA PMEL

Ocean Temperature i

Why it matters: Oceans absorb 90% of excess heat. The 0.32°C rise may seem small, but it fuels stronger hurricanes, bleaches coral reefs, and disrupts marine ecosystems that provide food for billions.

Average ocean temperature anomaly (°C)

Source: NOAA

Glacier Mass Loss i

Why it matters: Mountain glaciers provide fresh water to billions. Their rapid melting threatens water supplies for agriculture, hydropower, and drinking water in many regions while contributing to sea level rise.

Cumulative mass balance (meters water equivalent)

Source: WGMS

Atmospheric Methane (CH4) i

Why it matters: Methane is 28x more potent than CO₂ at trapping heat over 100 years. Rising from agriculture, fossil fuels, and thawing permafrost, methane's rapid increase amplifies warming.

Concentration in parts per billion (ppb)

Source: NOAA

Renewable Energy i

Why it matters: This is the good news! Renewable energy capacity has grown 25x since 1990. Solar and wind are now the cheapest energy sources. This shows that climate solutions are scaling rapidly.

Global renewable capacity (GW)

Source: IRENA

Biodiversity Loss i

Why it matters: Wildlife populations have declined 59% since 1970. Biodiversity is essential for food security, medicine, clean water, and ecosystem stability. We're in the midst of Earth's sixth mass extinction.

Living Planet Index (1970 = 100)

Source: WWF

Drought Severity i

Why it matters: Droughts are getting longer and more severe. Water scarcity affects agriculture, causes food insecurity, forces migration, and increases wildfire risk in vulnerable regions.

Global land area affected (%)

Source: NOAA / NIDIS

Desertification i

Why it matters: Land degradation turns fertile soil into desert. Over 1 billion hectares degraded since 1960 reduces agricultural productivity, destroys ecosystems, and drives poverty and displacement.

Degraded land area (million hectares)

Source: UNCCD

Permafrost Thaw i

Why it matters: Thawing permafrost releases massive amounts of trapped methane and CO₂, creating a dangerous feedback loop. It also destabilizes infrastructure in Arctic regions and threatens communities.

Active layer thickness increase (cm)

Source: GTN-P

Heat Waves i

Why it matters: Heat waves are becoming more frequent, intense, and deadly. They cause heat-related deaths, crop failures, power outages, and strain emergency services—especially dangerous for vulnerable populations.

Annual number of major heatwave events

Source: WHO

Global Energy Consumption i

Why it matters: Energy consumption per capita reflects development levels and environmental impact. The increase from 5 to 22 MWh/capita shows the massive growth in our energy demand and resource dependency.

Global average consumption (MWh/capita/year)

Source: IEA

Affected Coral Reefs i

Why it matters: Coral reefs harbor 25% of marine biodiversity and protect coastlines. The massive bleaching of 84% of reefs in 2024 threatens the entire marine ecosystem and 850 million people who depend on them.

Percentage of reefs affected by bleaching

Source: NOAA / ICRI

Marine Plastic Pollution i

Why it matters: Every year, 8 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans. This pollution kills marine wildlife, contaminates the food chain, and persists for centuries in our marine ecosystems.

Plastic waste discharged (million tons/year)

Source: UNEP

Global Air Pollution i

Why it matters: PM2.5 fine particles cause 4.1 million deaths per year. 99% of the world's population breathes air above WHO standards. Rapid industrialization has multiplied this pollution by 6 since 1900.

Global average PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³)

Source: WHO

Global Water Stress i

Why it matters: Available freshwater per capita is declining drastically. From 16,800 m³ in 1900 to 5,000 m³ today, population growth and climate change are creating a water crisis affecting billions of people.

Renewable freshwater per capita (m³/year)

Source: FAO

Tropical Deforestation i

Why it matters: Tropical forests are Earth's lungs. Accelerating loss since 1950 destroys habitat for millions of species, releases CO₂, and disrupts rainfall patterns affecting global agriculture.

Primary forest loss (million hectares/year)

Source: Global Forest Watch

Threatened Species i

Why it matters: 48,646 species are now threatened with extinction out of 172,620 assessed. This biodiversity crisis is accelerating: we're losing species 1,000 times faster than the natural rate, threatening ecosystems we depend on.

Number of threatened species (thousands)

Source: IUCN

Resource Depletion i

Why it matters: We consume the resources of 1.7 Earths every year. "Overshoot Day" comes earlier each year, showing our current lifestyle is unsustainable for future generations.

Number of Earths needed per year

Source: Global Footprint Network

Fossil Fuel Share i

Why it matters: Despite renewable progress, fossil fuels still represent 82% of our consumption. This persistent dependence on fossil fuels hinders the urgent energy transition needed.

Fossil fuels in global energy mix (%)

Source: IEA